Post-rebellion story or just everyone lives AU? I haven't quite decided yet. Please be patient! I just wanted to write a story about them being in a string and piano quintet, since the show has a lot of musical themes and terminology and it made me nostalgic. Madoka has still gone abroad and come back, and magical girls don't exist. I mostly write when I think of key events in this AU instead of planning a cohesive narrative, so the stories are extremely out of chronological order without a clear beginning or end, or a point really. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

"Why not, Sayaka-chan?"

Sayaka tries not to give in to Madoka's pout. The younger girl doesn't throw tantrums much, nor is she very stubborn; but when Madoka puts her mind to it, she uses every emotional weapon in her arsenal. It's not fair, really, she's got this cute little face that gets her mistaken for a gradeschooler sometimes, complete with big teary eyes and cheeks that never lost their baby fat during her three years abroad.

"Because!" Sayaka says, crossing her arms. "She's..."

"A demon?" Madoka counters. "You know that's ridiculous. When are you going to let that go? You don't even know her."

"Well, neither do you!" she huffs, flinching as the wind blows her bangs into her eyes. Maybe they shouldn't be having an argument on the roof, but it's better than hashing it out in the classroom in front of everybody.

Madoka's pout intensifies. Sayaka crams her guilt back down her throat.

"I know her well enough to know that she's a really nice girl and a great viola player. Come on, with Kyouko-chan and Homura-chan, we'll be a proper string quartet!"

Learning that Kyouko can play the cello was honestly a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but one that got her yelled at by Kyouko for making baseless assumptions.

"We were only supposed to be a violin duet, you and me. You know, in celebration of our reunion?"

Madoka holds her hands daintily behind her back and scuffs her shoe against the floor light, and Sayaka knows something is coming.

"You had your crush join us, why can't I?"

Check and mate. When did she learn to be so compelling in arguments? Maybe it's that Sayaka really is full of crap. Something about Akemi Homura bothers her, and the fact that her best friend became so attached to the quiet recluse so soon after returning home bothers her even more.

Sayaka sighs, letting her arms fall. "Okay, okay, you got me there, she can be part of the group." She limply lets herself be tackled into a hug.

"Thank you, Sayaka-chan!"

"Madoka..." She swings her arms around the shorter girl, squeezing hard. "When did you learn to use your womanly wiles?"

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Madoka squeals, "Sayaka-chan, don't!" she says, as Sayaka begins her tickle assault.

"My cute Madoka, all grown up now! Well, I'm not ready to give you up yet!"

"Sayaka-chan, stop!" Madoka giggles, ineffectually trying to wrestle out of her friend's grip. She laughs until she cries, and then a little more. She laughs until her stomach gets sore well into the next period, as any middle-schooler would.